Arbor Realty Trust’s latest Small Multifamily Investment Trends Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics, evaluates what’s driving this sector’s ongoing stability as macroeconomic conditions remain mixed. Loan originations rose last quarter, and valuations are rebounding, signaling that normalization is taking hold.
Single-family rental (SFR) conditions strengthened during the first half of 2026, with rents rising across all 50 of the nation’s largest metros between December 2025 and June 2026. Growth was broad-based but uneven, with many Northeast and Midwest markets outperforming major Sun Belt metros.
Arbor’s summer internship program is a key part of our ongoing initiative to nurture talent and shape future leaders through programs, such as Fannie Mae’s DUS Summer Series, and networking opportunities.
This year’s data show that while multifamily completions moderated from 2024’s elevated pace, the sector’s shift toward larger properties continued. At the same time, larger has not necessarily meant taller, as lower-rise buildings continue to account for most new multifamily completions.
The single-family rental (SFR) sector continued to demonstrate resilience through early 2026, supported by stable occupancy, positive rent growth, and improving capital markets activity.
In his latest Arbor Realty Trust video, Dr. Sam Chandan, a leading commercial real estate scholar, shares his insights into the findings of our latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report, developed in partnership with Chandan Economics. The noted NYU professor outlines the market-level results of the Arbor-Chandan Opportunity Matrix, which spotlights multifamily markets that offer optimal value to commercial real estate investors.
Generation Z’s potential for household formation could soon reshape many U.S. metropolitan areas. From McAllen, TX, to Hartford, CT, explore the top multifamily markets where rental demand is set to rise as Gen Z leaves the nest.
Indianapolis ranked as the top multifamily investment market in the U.S., in the latest Top Markets for Multifamily Investment Report from Arbor Realty Trust and Chandan Economics. The market has been supported by strong labor market conditions, tight occupancy levels, and a favorable affordability profile.
A panoramic view of how Arbor grows financial partnerships through successful
product executions that deliver results for our clients
Units
Santa Barbara County
Year Built
The borrower was interested in refinancing a vintage townhome-style apartment community in Santa Barbara County, California, to improve cash flow for their growing portfolio. With interest rates rising, the borrower was in search of cost savings during the refinancing of a loan. The environmentally conscious borrower, who already intended to make improvements to their properties, was interested in exploring how going green could result in short- and long-term savings.
Through a focus on developing client relationships, Arbor keenly understood the borrower’s objectives to cut down costs and protect the environment. Arbor was able to fulfill both goals in one transaction. First, Arbor utilized the Fannie Mae Green Financing® program to lower the borrower’s interest rate and increase net operating income. Then, Arbor closely monitored trends in U.S. Treasurys and moved quickly to lock in the best possible rate at the time.
Fannie Mae’s Green Financing program enabled the borrower to save money on interest by committing to make enhancements to the property that improve energy efficiency by 30% within 12 months of closing. By enrolling in this program, they will save a significant amount of money due to locking in at a lower interest rate and the longer interest-only period of the loan. Ultimately, Arbor’s borrower received a better rate at a higher loan amount and will likely achieve a high net operating income over the life of the loan.